Warning: Episode may contain strong language, violence and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.

PREVIOUSLY…

• Ben and Emma went on a date.
• Emma discovered that Tom was cheating on his wife, Kate.
• Neha’s drinking problem began to consume her and she had sex with an unknown married man in the toilets of The Oak & Vine at Kate’s 45th birthday party.
• Julia was blackmailed by Natalie for £25,000 or else she would expose the secret about Nick’s biological parents.
• James was tempted by his personal assistant and step niece, Natalie.
• Jack and Lee were at odds over having children.
• Tom was almost caught by his young son sending an explicit image from his secret phone. He hid the phone and, when questioned by Noah, said he was hiding a birthday present for Kate.

The Oak & Vine,
Glendale

The early afternoon sun filtered through the Victorian bow windows of The Oak & Vine as Neha Patel stumbled through the door, her movements clumsy. It was barely past opening time, but she was already well beyond intoxicated.

Carol Kennedy, the landlady, eyed Neha warily as she made her unsteady way to the bar.

“Afternoon, Neha,” Carol greeted with forced cheerfulness that masked her concerns. She knew better than to ask the usual “what can I get ya?”.

Neha slurred a greeting in return, her words barely intelligible.

Carol fought a sigh. She had known Neha for years, and this was definitely not her usual behaviour. There had also been whispers in the village about a drinking problem that Carol had chosen to ignore. But now, with a clearly intoxicated Neha before her, she knew something was clearly wrong.

“I’m sorry, Neha, but I can’t serve you in this state, sweets,” she said firmly, reaching for a glass to start cleaning, hoping Neha would take the hint and leave.

Neha’s bleary eyes flashed with anger. “What do you mean you can’t serve me?” she snapped, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of a visiting middle-aged couple enjoying a ploughman’s platter for lunch.

Carol held her ground, trying to keep her tone calm. “I mean just that, Neha. You’re clearly intoxicated, and it’s against the law for me to serve you any more alcohol.”

Neha’s face flushed with indignation. “This is ridiculous! I’m a paying customer, aren’t I?” She swayed and gripped the bar to steady herself.

Carol knew that reasoning with Neha in this state would be futile. She reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts before pressing a number.

After a few rings, Ashwin, Neha’s husband, answered the call. “Hey, Carol,” he said in his usual friendly tone.

“Ash, sweets, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Neha is here, and she’s had too much to drink. I can’t serve her like this, and I think you need to come and collect her.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Ashwin replied with a resigned sigh. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Thanks for letting me know, Carol.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glendale Family Surgery,
Glendale

Emma Blake sat in the small break room of Glendale Family Surgery, finally taking a moment to savour her lunch amid the day’s hectic schedule of appointments. A small TV was on in the background showing the BBC’s live broadcast of the Paris Olympics while she scrolled through Instagram.

As Emma reached for her cheese and pickle sandwich, she paused, and an amused smile played on her lips. At Kate Spencer‘s recent birthday party, her daughter, Ava, had shown Emma a Tik Tok of legendary “EastEnders” character Sharon Watts saying her now iconic phrase while holding a sandwich, “cheese and pickle, basic.” The memory made Emma chuckle as she stared at her “basic” sandwich. Emma’s phone emitted a soft ding, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the screen; it was a text from Ben Granger.

Hey! I hope you’re having a good day.

The sweet message made Emma smile. She tapped a short reply and hit the blue arrow. The blue chat bubble swooshed off into the ether.

Same old. Same old. Hope you are too 😊

Can’t complain. Meant to ask if you’re free tonight?

Not tonight. Going to WI with Queenie. Why?

😂 😂 😂

Emma smiled at Ben’s response. The thought of her attending the Women’s Institute meeting wasn’t that funny, surely? Typing dots appeared on the screen, then vanished, then reappeared, then vanished again. Emma frowned. They appeared again, and a message soon followed.

You’re becoming one of the village oldies!
Wondered if you wanted to get dinner again some time?

A bright smile lit up Emma’s face.

Absolutely. Sounds perfect x

Sweet! Will sort something out and get back to you xx

A double kiss. Emma’s heart flew into the sky and left her feeling giddy. With a pleased smile, she took a bite of her “basic” sandwich and returned to scrolling through Instagram – the open profile of Nick Harrington-Jones, to be precise.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Thyme Cottage,
Glendale

Under the harsh glare of the midday sun and the sweet smell of the wisteria that climbed along the front of the house, Ashwin guided Neha through the front door of Thyme Cottage, her steps unsteady. The distinct scent of alcohol clung to her like a wet blanket.

As they stumbled into the familiar confines of their home, Ashwin felt a knot tighten in his chest. He knew what was coming – the argument, the accusations, the endless cycle of pain and regret. But he couldn’t ignore it any longer. He had to confront Neha to make her see the toll her drinking was taking on their lives.

“Neha,” he began, his voice tinged with weariness, “we need to talk.”

Neha rolled her eyes, her movements sluggish as she shrugged off his grip. “Talk about what, Ash? Can’t you see I just want to relax?”

Ashwin’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t relaxation, Neha. This is self-destruction.”

“Oh, spare me the lecture, Ash. You give me earache.”

With a heavy sigh, Ashwin watched as Neha stumbled towards the kitchen, her movements unsteady as she reached for a bottle of whisky on the counter. His heart sank as he realised she was beyond reasoning with, lost in the depths of her addiction.

“I can’t do this anymore, Premika,” Ashwin said softly. “I can’t watch you destroy yourself like this.”

“Then leave! I don’t need you to save me!” The curt words cut through the air like a sharp knife.

Ashwin didn’t need to be told twice. He turned and walked away with heavy shoulders. As he stepped out into the blinding sunlight and began the short walk back to work at his garage on the edge of the village, Ashwin couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything left of Neha to save.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

In the library of Ashbourne House, sunlight filtered through tall, arched windows, casting ethereal beams that danced across the polished oak floor while dust motes drifted lazily in the air. Mahogany bookcases lined the walls, their shelves overflowing with leather-bound tomes and antique manuscripts.

At the heart of the room, Julia Harrington-Jones stood ramrod straight and squared her shoulders, steeling herself as she heard the approaching footfall. Julia refused to be manipulated any longer. She refused to let Natalie Sinclair‘s schemes dictate the course of her life and had requested to speak to her in the library. Today, Julia would draw the line in the sand and stand her ground.

The door to the library opened and Natalie sauntered in, her neat black bob shining in the sunlight and her tailored navy-blue pencil dress framing her svelte figure perfectly. As she walked towards Julia, her pumps making heavy clips with each step, Natalie’s smirk faltered as Julia met her gaze head-on, her eyes ablaze.

“You wanted to see me?” Natalie said, her voice almost purring.

“I’m not playing your game anymore, Natalie,” Julia declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil boiling within.

The words rattled in Natalie’s ears. Her expression darkened, and a flicker of anger flashed across her face. “You don’t have a choice, Julia,” she sneered, her voice dripping with venom as her head tilted to the side. “Either you pay up, or I tell the truth about dear little Nicky to the whole village.”

Julia refused to waver, to let fear dictate her actions, or to be spoken to by a pathetic nineteen-year-old who thought she wielded more power than she really did. “I won’t be blackmailed by you, Natalie.”

Natalie’s eyes narrowed and her jaw tightened with frustration. “You’re making a big mistake, Julia,” she warned, her tone icy. “You have until the village fete to pay up, or else.”

“Or what?” Julia scoffed with a disdainful snort before she turned on her heel and made her way to the door on the opposite side to which Natalie had entered, her footsteps echoing through the room as she did. Julia refused to let the raven-haired vixen’s threats cast a shadow over her life any longer.

But just as Julia reached for the handle, her phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the silence like a knife. She glanced at the caller ID:

Nick

Acutely aware that Natalie would be listening to every word, Julia answered the call from her son, her voice shaky despite her best efforts to remain composed. “Nicky. What is it? What’s wrong?”

Nick’s strong voice came down the line. “I heard you talking to someone, but the call came from a number I didn’t know. Are you okay? You sounded upset.”

Julia’s heart beat faster than she thought possible. She spun on her heels and looked back at Natalie, who held her phone up and pressed a hand to her open mouth. “Oopsies,” she whispered with feigned surprise. “How careless of me.”

Julia’s blood ran cold. She had underestimated Natalie’s determination and the lengths she would go to get what she wanted. “What did you hear exactly, darling?”

“Just something about the village fete,” Nick replied. “Are you okay, mum?”

“Yes, darling, perfectly fine. I think it was just a pocket dial from Natalie. Nothing to worry about.”

Julia and Nick said their goodbyes, and as she stared into Natalie’s icy cold glare, Julia was left with no doubt that Natalie really did plan to destroy them all.

Natalie stepped forward with a measured cadence, her phone tapping against the palm of her hand. “Because of this little stunt, I’m upping the amount to one hundred thousand pounds,” she snarled. “One hundred grand by the village fete or I will tell everyone everything. Understood?”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Bluebell Cottage,
Glendale

Afternoon sunshine filtered through a slight crack in the drawn curtains of the master bedroom that were deliberately closed to shield Jack Campbell and his husband, Lee, from the outside world as they indulged in a rare afternoon of passion before Jack had to go and work the night shift as a police sergeant.

After a moment of euphoria, an exhausted Jack flopped onto the bed, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath and his heart thundering. Tangled in the bedsheets, Lee shifted closer to his husband, propping his head up on his fist as his fingers traced patterns on Jack’s hairy chest. Lee pressed a tender kiss to his lips. “That was good!”

A smile tugged at the corners of Jack’s lips as he pulled Lee closer, relishing the feel of his warmth against his skin. “Give me five minutes, and we can go again.”

Lee shuffled down the bed and rested his head on his husband’s chest. The thumping of Jack’s heartbeat played a rhythmic drumbeat in his ear. Jack wrapped a protective arm around Lee.

As they lay tangled together, Jack felt his euphoria slowly fade and a heaviness settle over him. With a deep breath, he kissed the top of Lee’s head. “I’ve been thinking,” he began, his voice tentative, “about adoption and fostering.”

“Oh?”

As Lee sat up, Jack eyes searched his husband’s face for some sort of indication of his thoughts and feelings. “I’ve been doing some research, looking into the process and what it would mean for us,” he said, shifting in the bed and opening his bedside drawer to remove a number of pamphlets.

Instead of the excitement Jack had hoped to see reflected in Lee’s eyes, there was only hesitation.

Lee shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not sure, Jack,” he admitted as he thought back to their discussion in the village green a few days earlier. “It’s a big responsibility, a huge commitment.”

Jack’s heart sank at Lee’s words, the sting of disappointment cutting deep. “But don’t you want kids?”

“If I’m being honest,” Lee said softly after a short pause. “Not really. No.”

The words hung heavy in the air between them. Jack felt as though he had been punched in the gut. “I see.”

When they had spoken about children in the early days of their relationship, Lee had been all for it. But now, hearing that his feelings had changed, Jack couldn’t hide his disappointment. Lee was entitled to change his opinion; of course he was, but it was no less hurtful. His entire life, Jack had wanted nothing more than to be a dad, and Lee’s change of heart cut deeply. Jack peeled the bedsheets off him, swung his legs over the side of the bed, dropped the pamphlets on the bedside table, and sat there for a moment.

Lee was silent.

“I’m going to get ready for work,” Jack said with a sadness in his voice as he got up from the bed and headed into the en suite bathroom.

Alone, Lee let out a deep exhale of breath as the cracks in their foundations widened.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glendale Family Surgery,
Glendale

As Betty Worchester, the last patient of the day, exited the surgery, Emma released a relieved sigh as she closed and locked the door. At the reception desk, Kate turned off her computer and gathered her belongings. Ready to end the working day, Marion Atkins appeared in the reception area, pulling her handbag over her shoulder.

Emma turned to Marion with a warm smile. “I’ll see you at the W.I. meeting tonight,” she said, her voice filled with anticipation for the evening ahead.

Marion nodded in agreement, a flicker of excitement dancing in her eyes. She had found out from Emma yesterday that she was planning to attend the Women’s Institute meeting and was thrilled to have her join. “Looking forward to it, Em,” she said. “It should be a great time.”

Kate’s thick Welsh accent cut through the air like a sudden gust of wind. “Wait, you’re going to the W.I. meeting tonight, Em?”

Emma chuckled at the surprise evident in Kate’s open-mouthed expression. “Yes.”

“Oh, I wish I was coming now too.”

Emma frowned. “Why aren’t you coming? I thought you went all the time.”

“I try.” Kate’s shoulders slumped. “But tonight, I’ll be at home looking after the kids. Tom‘s heading to the pub for his usual Tuesday night darts match, and the babysitter’s got COVID.”

His usual Tuesday night darts match. The words stuck in Emma’s mind. Flashes of a vague memory tried to force their way through a fog in her mind. There was something not right, but she couldn’t work out what it was. She seemed to recall seeing a poster or a flyer in The Oak & Vine on the night of Kate’s birthday party. There was something about darts, but she couldn’t recall the day’s listed. Tuesday didn’t seem right. A sinking feeling settled over Emma as she began to suspect Tom’s usual Tuesday night darts match was actually a ruse to cover his adulterous affair.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

The Oak & Vine,
Glendale

The Oak & Vine buzzed with activity as the evening crowd began to filter in. The afternoon had been busy, and the dinner trade was picking up. Behind the bar, Tony Kennedy, the landlord, busied himself with menial chores, trying to push the troubling thoughts from his mind.

Carol, his wife and partner in both business and life, watched him with concern. “What’s wrong, sweets?” she asked, her voice soft with worry as she dried glasses with a cloth.

“It’s Luke,” Tony confessed, referencing his son, who was doing a ten-year stretch at His Majesty’s pleasure in Chelmsford Prison. “He’s refused another request for a prison visit.”

Carol’s heart went out to him, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. Her stepson, Luke, had been a wrong’un from the day he was born. Spiralling into drug addiction at a young age, Luke had gone on to become a dealer and later ended up inside for a crime that the villagers of Glendale dared not speak about. As far as Carol was concerned, Luke was bad news with a capital B, but Tony saw past the criminality and violence as only a parent could. He had tried for ten years to get a visiting order to see his son, and every time Luke had refused. “I’m sorry, sweets,” Carol murmured, her voice filled with sympathy.

Before they could dwell on the matter further, Emma bundled through the doors. “Hey, Carol,” she greeted with a warm smile spreading across her face.

“Hello, sweets,” Carol beamed back from behind the bar. “What can I get ya?”

“Nothing really. A bit of a random question but is there a women’s darts team here?”

Carol placed the dried glass on the bar and flung the damp cloth over her shoulder. “Yes, there is,” she replied, a note of curiosity creeping into her voice and a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes. “I didn’t pick you for a darts player. Why do you ask?”

“What time are they starting tonight?”

Carol frowned with confusion. “Actually, they’re not playing tonight. Darts is every Thursday and Saturday.”

Emma’s eyes widened in understanding as the pieces of the puzzle began falling into place with sudden clarity. “I see,” she said softly, a pang of sympathy stirring in her chest. It was true. Tom was lying to Kate about darts as a way to conduct his affair, and he was clearly still carrying on with his fancy woman despite Emma’s instructions to the contrary.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Village Hall,
Glendale

The crisp scent of freshly brewed tea mingled with the faint aroma of biscuits as the members of the Women’s Institute gathered in the cosy village hall. Judith Bancroft, the chapter president, stood at the front of the room, greeting each member with a warm smile as they arrived. With her shoulders back, head high, and her silvery short hair perfectly styled, she oozed authority as she surveyed her flock.

The members of the W.I. settled into their seats, eager for another productive meeting and to hear from this month’s speaker – a courageous young woman who has sailed around the world solo.

Judith painted on a warm smile, unfamiliar to her natural character. “Good evening, everyone,” she said, her voice carrying across the room as she noticed Queenie Baxter, Kate, and Neha were missing. “It is wonderful to see you all here tonight.”

As Judith began to give out notices for upcoming events and projects, the room buzzed with excitement, and just as she was about to announce the next item on the agenda, the door creaked open, and two figures hurried in, slightly out of breath. The members turned in their seats to see Queenie hobbling in, aided by her walking stick, and with Emma close behind. A murmur rippled around the members as they gossiped and whispered about the new doctor.

Judith’s heart stopped as her eyes met Emma’s. There was a quiet confidence about Emma that alarmed her. Judith’s voice faltered, and her eyes flashed to her daughter, Julia, in the front row. Julia frowned and turned in her chair. Her heart sank when she locked eyes with Emma. Judith cleared her throat, trying to find her place in her notes but unable to stop her thoughts from constantly returning to Emma and the fact that she held a secret that could tear her family apart if it ever came to light.

“Good of you to join us, Beth,” Judith said, referencing Queenie by the name only her foes used. She forced a smile at Emma despite the turmoil churning inside her. “Nice to see you too, Doctor Blake. Please, take a seat.” Judith’s mind raced with questions, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment.

As Judith struggled to focus, Emma looked back at her with an unwavering coolness in her eyes and a smirk smacked across her face. She was enjoying making Judith squirm, and from now on she wouldn’t be hidden away.

-:-

As the W.I. meeting concluded, the members gathered in clusters around the refreshments table, chatting animatedly over cups of tea and slices of cake. Pamela Granger, her mother-in-law, Audrey, Queenie, and Marion found themselves in a quiet corner, away from the bustling chatter.

“So, did you hear the news?” Pamela asked, her voice hushed with concern.

Queenie and Marion exchanged a curious glance before Queenie replied, “No, wot news?”

“Rebecca is moving back to Glendale,” Audrey revealed, her lips pursed into a tight bunch as she shook her head. She usually didn’t like to hate anyone, for hate was a very strong word, but she did indeed hate Rebecca Williams. Audrey struggled to forgive her for what she put her dear grandson, Ben, through and how she had abandoned their littlies for a loose lifestyle in London.

Pamela’s brow furrowed at the thought of her soon-to-be ex-daughter-in-law living back in the village. “I fear what it will do to Ben and the kids.”

Queenie, Ben’s godmother, and Marion listened intently as Pamela and Audrey revealed previously unknown details about the history between Rebecca and Ben and the somewhat menacing way she had revealed her return to Pamela at Kate’s birthday party. The scars of the tumultuous relationship still ran deep, and Pamela dreaded the thought of Rebecca’s return opening up old wounds.

“I can’t let her ruin Ben’s life again,” Pamela declared, her determination evident in her voice. “I’ll find a way to stop her from moving back to the village, no matter what it takes.”

Queenie and Marion nodded in understanding, their expressions sympathetic. They knew how much Ben had suffered in the past, and they shared Pamela’s concern for his well-being.

“We’ll do whatever we can to ‘elp get that witch outta ‘ere,” Queenie promised, her voice firm.

-:-

The last of the WI members began to trickle out of the village hall, and Judith spotted Emma lingering near the entrance. She excused herself from her conversation with Pamela and Julia and, with a heavy heart and a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest, made her way over to Emma, determined to confront her. Julia watched her mother from afar, having reluctantly agreed earlier to let her sort out the problem that was Emma Blake.

“Emily,” Judith said, her voice low and stern as she still refused to greet the woman she once knew as Emily Barlow by her new name of Emma Blake.

Emma turned to face Judith, her expression unreadable. There was a tense silence between them as Judith gathered her thoughts, steeling herself for the conversation ahead.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing or what you’re planning,” Judith began, her words measured and deliberate, “but I thought I made myself very clear the other day. You need to stay away from my family.”

Emma met Judith’s gaze head-on, her own eyes flashing with defiance. “I’m not going to hide away in the shadows anymore, Judith,” she stated firmly. “Glendale is my home now, and whether you like it or not, Nick is my son. From now on, you should be prepared that I’m going to be much stronger and expect me to be more involved in Nick’s life going forward.”

Judith felt a surge of frustration and fear rise within her. She had hoped that Emma would understand the gravity of the situation and the damage the truth would cause, but it seemed that she was determined to push back against Judith’s warnings.

“You don’t understand,” she insisted, her voice tight and short like a hiss from a snake. “If the truth comes out, it will destroy everything. You have to promise me that you won’t say anything.”

“I can’t promise you that, Judith,” Emma replied, unmoved. “I won’t keep the secret any longer. You all need to be prepared for the truth to be revealed.”

With a heavy heart, Judith realised that she was fighting a losing battle. Emma’s loyalty to her biological son outweighed any concerns for the consequences of her actions. And as much as Judith wished she could change Emma’s mind, she knew deep down that there was nothing more she could say to sway her, and that terrified her.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Bluebell Cottage,
Glendale

The steam from the shower enveloped Lee as he stepped out onto the cool tiles of the bathroom floor. Droplets of water glistened on his brown skin, and the final rivulets ran down his waxed chest. A smidge under 5’11”, Lee was handsome with a strong jawline and rich brown eyes. He was lean but not buff, and besides his cropped black hair and stubble, there wasn’t a strand of hair on his waxed body. Lee reached for a towel, wrapping it around himself, and made his way into the bedroom.

The evening sunshine streamed into the master room through the sash windows of Bluebell Cottage, illuminating the stack of pamphlets scattered across the bedside table: Adoption for Same Sex Couples, Fostering and You, So You Want to Foster, Adoption: The A to Z. The brochures detailing the process of adoption and fostering were a dream for Jack and a veritable nightmare for Lee.

Beside the pamphlets, Lee’s phone vibrated and lit up. With a sigh, he glanced at the caller ID.

Jack

For a moment, Lee hesitated, his gaze drifting to the pamphlets beside him. Then, with a shake of his head, he silenced the ringing phone. As Lee turned away from the bedside table, his eyes fell on the small baggie of powder sitting on the dresser. It was a temptation he couldn’t seem to resist, a temporary escape from the weight of his own demons and the problems he and Jack seemed to be kicking down the road.

Lee reached for the baggie, and he anticipated the rush of exhilaration he would feel. He pulled the small baggie open and prepared to take a hit.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Thyme Cottage,
Glendale

Ashwin returned home from work, determination coursing through his veins. He had thought long and hard about Neha and their marriage and had concluded that he didn’t want to give up on it or her. He also couldn’t continue to stand idly by while Neha succumbed to her demons. Tonight, he would confront her and offer her the support she needed to break free from the suffocating grip of her alcohol addiction.

But as he crossed the threshold, Ashwin’s heart sank with the sight of Neha slumped on the couch, a bottle clutched firmly in her hands. Her eyes were glazed, barely coherent, lost in the haze of intoxication.

“Premika,” he said softly with a gentle please, using the Hindi word for beloved, “we need to talk.”

Talk. That’s all Ashwin wanted to do. Talk. Talk. Talk. Neha looked up, her gaze cloudy as she struggled to focus on her husband’s face. “Talk about what, Ashwin?” she spat his name out with disdain. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Ashwin’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t about being busy, Neha. This is about your life, about our life together.”

But Neha just laughed. “Our life? What life, Ashwin? All we do is argue and fight.”

Ashwin felt a pang of guilt at her words. “I want to help you, Premika. I want us to get through this together.”

Neha’s laughter turned bitter. “Help me?” she said, her words slurred and sharp and her eyes narrowing to slits filled with nothing but hatred and loathing. “You think you can help me? You’re the one who needs help, Ashwin.”

Ashwin’s heart clenched at Neha’s words. He knew she was hurting, and he wouldn’t let her cruel taunts stop him from trying to save her, from trying to save them.

Then, in a moment of blind rage, an unprovoked Neha lashed out, her hand connecting with Ashwin’s cheek in a sharp slap. The sound echoed through the room, the sting of it leaving a mark on both their souls. The distinct metallic taste of blood poisoned Ashwin’s mouth. He stumbled back, shock and hurt flashing across his face. He couldn’t believe Neha would strike him and couldn’t believe the depths to which her addiction had driven her. But even as pain flared across his cheek, Ashwin knew he couldn’t give up on his wife. He had to keep trying, had to keep fighting for the woman he loved, even if it meant facing her wrath head-on.

With a heavy heart, Ashwin reached out to Neha once more, his hand trembling but determined. “We can get through this, Premika. Together.” As he spoke the words, Ashwin prayed that somehow, someway, they would find their way back to each other and Neha would emerge from the darkness that consumed her.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

James Harrington-Jones reclined on top of his marital super king-size bed. It had been an exhausting day, and now, with Julia at the W.I. meeting and him alone in the sprawling mansion except for a few household staff, James was looking forward to nothing more than kicking back with a malt whisky and an episode or two of “The Sopranos.” He had seen the show a million times before, but it was his happy place, his sanctuary away from the world.

Just as a climactic moment unfolded on the screen, a soft knock echoed through the room. A flicker of annoyance danced in James’ eyes at the interruption.

-:-

Outside, Natalie knocked again on James and Julia’s bedroom door, her knuckles barely making a sound against the solid wood. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before turning the handle.

-:-

James looked at Natalie from over his iPad, the screen illuminating his Hugh Grantesque features, and surprise flickered across his face as she entered. His nineteen-year-old personal assistant and the stepdaughter to his sister, Charlotte, was always impeccably turned out, but tonight, standing before him in the doorway to his marital bedroom, she looked simply ravishing. Natalie’s pencil dress hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her hips, cinched waist, and ample bosom.

Natalie closed the door behind her, leaning back against it for a moment as she drank in the scene and orchestrated the atmosphere before crossing the room to stand beside the bed. No words were spoken, yet the air between them crackled with an electric charge. James shifted himself to the edge of the bed, his legs swinging over the edge, and Natalie stepped towards him. His face met her bosom perfectly, and he could feel the warmth radiating from her body. Without uttering a single word, they both knew what was going to happen. Natalie reached out and cupped James’ cheek in her hand, the stubble of his five o’clock shadow rough against her soft hand as he pressed his face into her palm. She moved her hand smoothly behind his neck and pulled him close as she bent down and planted a soft, tender kiss on his lips.

The kiss was electric. A wave of desire surged through James with the power of a stallion. The moment intensified, and he rose to his feet, wrapping his arms around Natalie and pulling her close. Their bodies pressed together with an urgency that spoke of weeks of suppressed longing. Natalie could feel his hardness against her, and she wanted it. The air crackled and fizzed. James nuzzled into Natalie’s neck as his hands roamed her back and lowered the zip of her dress. Natalie whimpered in ecstasy as her hands fumbled with the drawstring of his grey track pants.

Natalie stepped out of her pumps and allowed her dress to fall from her body. James looked her up and down. Her toned body, milky white, was delectable. Her bosom perky in a lacy black bra. He kissed her again, harder and leaving no doubt in her mind as to what he wanted. The tips of his fingers trailed over her soft skin, causing her to shudder at the sensation. He unclipped her bra, and his hands moved down her sides and lowered her underwear.

Naked, Natalie pushed James onto the bed. He willingly flopped backwards, the bugle in his grey trousers erect and wanting. Natalie straddled her boss, leaning over and kissing him, her black bob falling around them like the pendulous branchlets of a weeping willow tree. She tugged at his tee shirt, and James willingly raised his arms to allow the removal. Natalie kissed him hard, her tongue searching his mouth before she slowly made her way down his chest and stomach, her soft lips placing tender kisses against his skin as she followed the dusting of hair down to the waistband of his track pants. With one final look back at him, Natalie lowered James’ pants.

The moment intensified as James, driven by adulterous lust, and Natalie, driven by calculating power, gave into their desires.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Greystone Downs Farm,
Glendale

With Tom off playing darts, the soft glow of the television lit up the master bedroom as Kate lay on the king-size bed, nestled beside her young son, Noah, who was having trouble going to sleep due to a tummy ache. The familiar theme song of “Bluey” filled the air, accompanied by the sound of Noah’s delighted giggles as he yelled out the family members names in time with the music.

Kate smiled as she ran a soothing hand over his golden locks, as only a mother could. Despite how poorly Noah felt, moments like these were precious to her as they were a chance to simply be present with her son and share in the simple pleasure of watching his favourite cartoon together.

As Bluey and Bingo embarked on their latest imaginative adventure, Noah looked at his mother. “Mummy, did you like your present?”

Believing Noah was referring to the video he and his siblings had made for her, Kate nodded and smiled warmly. “Absolutely, Bubble,” she said in her Welsh accent. “A video from you guys was just what I wanted.”

Noah giggled and shook his head. “No! Daddy’s present, silly!”

A frown settled across Kate’s face that she tried to hide. “Daddy’s present?” she asked, somewhat confused. Years ago, Kate and Tom had made a pact not to buy each other gifts. It was an unnecessary expense and an agreement they had stuck to, including Kate’s birthday that had just passed. “What present, Bubble?”

“The one in the cupboard,” Noah replied, his eyes wandering back to the television as Bluey and Bingo chased Banjo around the living room.

Kate’s frown deepened. “The one in the cupboard?”

Noah nodded. “In there,” he said, pointing to the wardrobe on the other side of the room. “He put it in there. I saw him.”

Kate’s heart skipped a beat at the exciting thought that Tom had squirrelled away a secret present, completely unaware it was a lie. Noah had unknowingly busted his father sending an explicit picture from his secret phone a few days earlier. The wardrobe was where Tom hid the phone, and as he stuffed it away from Noah’s view, he lied and said it was a present for Kate. He hated himself for drawing the youngster into his web of lies, but Tom felt he had no other choice.

“Oh, yes, that present,” Kate lied and looked to the wardrobe. “I loved it!”

Staring at the wooden piece of furniture, Kate made a mental note to search through it.

NEXT TIME…

• Kate grows suspicious.
• Marion is concerned by a confession from Lee.
• Ben and Emma go on another date.
• Ed faces his secret in London.